yourGstaad

If you want to live and work in Switzerland, you’ll need a valid residence and work permit – even if you’re from an EU or EFTA country.

🛂 Who applies for the permit?

Usually, your future Swiss employer will submit the application to the local municipality where you plan to live. The permit is officially approved by cantonal and federal authorities, and issued by your local Swiss municipality.

📍 What does the permit include?

– Duration of your stay

– Your right to work

– Permission to bring family members

– Your legal residence status (you are a resident, not a citizen)

🗂️ Overview of Permit Types

Permit B (Residence Permit)
The most common permit – includes the right to work in Switzerland.

– For EU citizens: valid for 5 years

– For non-EU citizens: valid for 1 year, renewable

Permit L (Short-Term Permit)
Best suited for internships or short-term jobs under 12 months.

– Valid for up to 12 months

– Can be upgraded to a B permit if the contract is extended

📝 Registering in Switzerland

For EU/EFTA citizens:
– Less than 90 days of work per year: your employer registers you online

– More than 3 months of work per year: you must register in person with your local municipal office within 14 days of arrival

– Your employer often helps with the paperwork

 For non-EU/EFTA citizens:
– Your employer must submit a request to the Economic Directorate of the Canton of Bern (BECO) before you start working

– You must register within 14 days of arrival in the local municipality

🏡 Registering at Your New Address

Anyone moving to Switzerland – even Swiss nationals – must personally register at the residents’ office of their municipality within 14 days of arrival. In Gstaad, this is handled by the municipality of Saanen.

You’ll need the following (for you and any family members):

✔️ Foreign national questionnaire
✔️ Employment contract
✔️ Passport or ID card
✔️ Residence permit (if already available)
✔️ Recent passport photo (if not)
✔️ Proof of health insurance
✔️ Marriage certificate (if applicable)
✔️ Birth certificates of children (if applicable)
✔️ Rental agreement or proof of property ownership

🔗 More Info:

Canton of Bern Migration Service (MIDI)
Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)

Whether you drive your own car or use public transport, Switzerland offers excellent infrastructure. Here’s what you need to know to get started in Gstaad:

🚗 Registering Your Car in Switzerland

Bringing a car from abroad or buying one in Switzerland?
You must present the vehicle to the Motor Vehicle Inspection Office (MFK). For Gstaad and the Bernese Oberland, the responsible MFK is located in Thun.

🪪 Converting Your Driver’s License

You can drive with your foreign license for up to 12 months. After that, it must be converted into a Swiss driver’s license.

Required documents:

– Completed application form

– Passport or ID

– Swiss residence permit

– Original driver’s license

– Two current passport photos

– Eye test from a certified Swiss optician

Find full details on the website of the Road Traffic Office of the Canton of Bern.

🛣️ Motorway Vignette (Toll Sticker)

To drive on Swiss motorways, you need a vignette (toll sticker) – it costs CHF 40 per year. You can buy it at:

– Border customs offices

– Post offices, gas stations, and car garages

– Touring Club Suisse (TCS)

– Cantonal road traffic offices

The vignette must be clearly placed on your windshield.

🚍 Public Transport: Bus & Train

Switzerland has one of the world’s best public transport systems – even remote villages like Gstaad are easy to reach.

For frequent travelers, consider:

– GA (General Abonnement): unlimited travel on most trains and buses

– Half-Fare Card: 50% off all standard fares

Both passes are valid on postbuses and many cable cars.

For more information, visit the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).

Welcome to Switzerland! Here’s what you need to know about your financial and social security as a hospitality professional working in Gstaad.

🏥 Health Insurance in Switzerland

In Switzerland, health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in the country. You must take out a basic health insurance (KVG) with a recognized provider. The insurer cannot refuse your application.

🔹 Optional add-ons (e.g. dental care, alternative medicine) can be added individually.

🔹 Free choice of doctors applies, depending on the model (e.g. standard or GP model).

🔹 Medication is provided either directly at the doctor’s office or with a prescription at the pharmacy.

🔹 Dental care is not included in basic coverage and must be insured separately.

💡 Important: Health insurance is not deducted from your salary. You pay the monthly premiums yourself. Employers do not contribute.

💡 Tip: Use comparison tools like www.comparis.ch or ask colleagues for recommendations.

💼 Wages & Employment Terms – National Hospitality Agreement (L-GAV)

The Swiss hotel and restaurant sector is regulated by a national contract called the L-GAV. It sets rules on minimum wages, working hours, holidays, and notice periods.

🛡️ Social Security Contributions (Mandatory Deductions)

Between 13–20% of your gross salary is deducted for:

– AHV (Old Age and Survivors Insurance)

– IV (Disability Insurance)

– EO (Income Compensation)

– ALV (Unemployment Insurance)

– BVG (Occupational Pension – for higher salaries)

– NBU (Non-occupational accident insurance)

➡️ Your employer matches most of these contributions (except NBU).

💰 Withholding Tax for Foreign Workers (B Permit)

If you hold a residence permit B, you pay withholding tax. It is automatically deducted from your salary by your employer.

– The tax rate depends on your canton, salary, and marital status.

– You may claim certain expenses in an annual tax adjustment.

🔗 More info & online calculator: Swiss Federal Tax Administration

Switzerland is a multilingual country with four official national languages:

🗣️ German / Swiss German
🗣️ French (mainly in Western Switzerland)
🗣️ Italian (in the canton of Ticino)
🗣️ Romansh (in the canton of Graubünden)

🧩 What Is Swiss German?

“Swiss German” refers to the many regional dialects spoken in everyday life – for example, “Bärndütsch”, the dialect of the Bernese Oberland, which you’ll hear in Gstaad.
In professional or international situations, most people will switch to Standard Swiss High German, which is clear and easy to understand.

🗨️ Language Use in Gstaad – What Should You Know?

✅ German is very useful for daily life and work in Gstaad – especially in hospitality and guest service.

✅ English is widely spoken in the international tourism scene.

✅ French is also common, especially among visitors from Western Switzerland.

🏡 Renting a Flat in Switzerland

In Switzerland, most rental apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen – no need to bring your own.
In multi-unit buildings, washing machines and dryers are usually provided in shared laundry rooms.

What to expect:

– Most landlords require a security deposit of 1–2 months’ rent.

– You’ll pay additional charges for heating and building maintenance (listed as “Nebenkosten”).

– Parking spots may cost extra.

🔗 For more info, visit the Bern Tenants’ Association or the Federal Housing Office.

📺 Radio & TV in Switzerland

Switzerland charges a mandatory household fee for national public broadcasters (SRF, RTS, RSI), managed by Serafe – even if you stream content online.

💡 Since 2016, all TV signals are digital only – analog TVs no longer work.

You can enjoy a multilingual media landscape in Switzerland, with channels in German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

🔌 Electricity & Power Outlets

Voltage: 220–230 volts at 50 Hz
Plug types: Type C (Europlug) and Type J (Swiss 3-pin)
Tip: Bring suitable adapters for your devices

☎️ Phone & Internet

You can choose your own internet and mobile provider freely.
Use tools like Comparis to compare plans and prices for Wi-Fi and mobile subscriptions.

☎️ Phone & Internet

You can choose your own internet and mobile provider freely. Use tools like Comparis to compare plans and prices for Wi-Fi and mobile subscriptions.